Method for fabricating burr-free pull tabs and articles

Abstract

Pull tabs for easy open containers are fabricated so as to avoid the presence of burrs after severing the carrier lugs, by removing each tab from the carrier sheet by severing each lug and a portion of the tab next adjacent the lug extremity, so that the burrs are avoided. Each radius has a dimension along the periphery of the tab which is slightly greater than the width of the severed lug, and with each radius located along a portion of the periphery of the tab which remains uncurled during the fabrication process.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for fabricating metal pull tabs for containers, comprising the steps of: forming plural pull tabs in a metal sheet with each tab attached to said sheet with one or more lugs; and   removing each tab from said sheet by severing each lug and a portion of said tab next adjacent the lug extremity, whereby metal burrs are avoided.   
     
     
       2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said tab and said lugs are of a uniform fitness. 
     
     
       3. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said lug and tab portion severing step comprises the step of forming a radius in said tab periphery at the lug extremity. 
     
     
       4. The method recited in claim 3 wherein said radius has a dimension along the periphery of said tab which is slightly greater than the width of said lug. 
     
     
       5. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of curling a portion of the periphery of each tab, and wherein said lug and tab portion are positioned along a portion of the tab periphery which remains uncurled. 
     
     
       6. The method recited in claim 5 wherein said tab comprises a nose adapted for use in opening a container to which said tab is attached, said uncurled portion extending about said nose. 
     
     
       7. The method recited in claim 6 further comprising the step of removing two lug and tab portions, each alongside said nose. 
     
     
       8. A pull tab made by the method recited in claim 1. 
     
     
       9. A pull tab for containers which has been severed from a metal sheet, comprising: a flat metal panel having a curled peripheral portion and an uncurled peripheral portion;   a protruding nose along said uncurled peripheral portion and adapted for facilitating the opening of the container to which said pull tab is attached; and   inwardly-extending radii along said uncurled periphery portion on either side of said protruding nose, said radii avoiding metal burrs which might otherwise extend outwardly from said uncurled periphery portion.